Merry Monday #91 - Snowman

Hello, friends!  It is snowing outside my window as I post this card for the current Merry Monday challenge to make a Christmas card using a snowman or snowpeople.  How appropriate!

This is my first time playing along at this challenge, and I am glad I found it.  I have wanted to play with this free snowman digi image from Jane's Doodles for some time now (it can be found at her blog post HERE).  I pared it up with some patterned papers, a Jane's Doodles sentiment, some Liquid Pearls "snow," and a snowflake embossing folder. 

Now I'm off to check out the cards by the Design Team and the other entries this week. 
Thanks for stopping by...let it snow!
Judy 

CAS(E) this Sketch #60 - Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello, friends!  It has been a while since I've played along with the CAS(E) this Sketch! challenge, but I was compelled to play when I saw this sketch!  Isn't it fabulous? 

I am on a mission to make some Valentine's Day cards to send to Winter (see details HERE) as part of the Fifth Annual "Cards from the Heart" Valentine's Day Card Drive.  I think I've sent in some cards every year...what a worthwhile cause!  She needs the cards by the end of January, so the push is on!

Digital image by Jellypark, computer-generated sentiment. 

If you get a chance, stop by the CAS(E) this Sketch! blog to see the inspiring cards made by their Design Team.  Wow!

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!
Judy

CASology #78: DOT

Hello, friends!  It's Tuesday, which means a new cue word at CASology!  This week we are lucky to be sponsored by Neat and Tangled...be sure to check out the CASology blog for all the details!

The CASology Design Team members were lucky enought to play with a Neat and Tangled stamp set of our choice for this week's challenge, and I immediately knew what set I had to have for this challenge:  Party Dots!  Here is my take on the cue word this week, using a monochromatic color scheme and one larger focal image:

I actually made two slightly different cards while I was at it, both one-layer (well, except for that popped-up banner) and CAS!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Neat and Tangled "Party Dots"

Inks: Hero Arts Soft Wheat shadow ink, Versamark ink, Hero Arts Latte chalk ink

Other: gold embossing powder, corner rounder, pop dots

So, what does the cue word DOT bring to mind for you?  You have until 4PM on Sunday to upload your creations.  Be sure to check out the amazing cards by the Design Team and our Guest Designer this week, too...you won't be disappointed!

Melissa Chipperfield
Judy Marino --> that's me!

Meghan McMillan

Tracey McNeely
Joyce Mehrberg

Maureen Merritt
May Sukyong Park

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Gillian Ross

Kimberly Wiener

Jen Wills

Guest Designer: Radhika

As always, I do appreciate your visits.  Have a great day!

Judy

Hope This Year Is Your Best One Yet

Hello, friends!  My mojo seems to have returned from vacation and I have two more cards to share today for the new Card Concept challenge.  I love these colors together!

I made two more cards in the "Clean and Layered" style (I think there are a few too many layers to be considered "Clean and Simple" even though there is a lot of white space).

I just wish the sun would come out so my pictures would be brighter!  Today we had more rain but it was so cold in the morning that the roads and sidewalks were all a sheet of ice and no one knew it until we went outside.  What a crazy surprise!  Way too many car accidents today...best to stay inside (and make cards).

Here they are together...I used the same dies and papers, just mixed them up a bit. 

Supplies Used:

Stamps: PTI "Signature Greetings"

Inks:  chocolate brown dye ink, Tea Dye distress ink

Other: Simon Says Stamp butterfly die "Leanna," branch die, patterned paper, Nestabilities Labels 1, pearl, rhinestone

So, if you haven't already checked it out, I would HIGHLY recommend checking out The Card Concept ... it has something for everyone!  

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!

Judy

The Card Concept #1 - It's Here!

Hello, friends!  I am so excited that the first Card Concept challenge is up and running!  I have been anxiously awaiting this day...you must go check out the amazing Design Team and all of their superb cards...of all styles!

Check out this first color cue -- aren't these colors delicious?

For my card, I followed the "Clean and Layering" style.  This is outside the norm for me as I usually prefer minimal layers and the CAS style.  However, I had some pretty patterned papers that went perfectly with the colors for this challenge and I had to play with them!  (Now if only we would have some decent sun so I can get better pics...so frustrating!)

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp "You" stamp set and die

Inks: brown die ink, Antique Linen distress ink

Other: MME Lost & Found "Blush" 6x6 paper pad, Prima flowers, Recollections rhinestone gems, gold gel pen, Nestabilities Labels 8 dies, branch die

Isn't it great to find a challenge that makes you stretch your style, maybe a little outside your comfort zone?  I know I need that...and I think this new challenge site is the place for me!

Thanks for stopping by...I do appreciate your visits!

Judy

CASology #77: BUBBLY

Hello, friends and Happy New Year once again!  I am stopping by with our first CASology cue of 2014 and I think it is going to be a popular one!

This week we are once again sponsored by the wonderful Cindy Coutts of Cindy Blancett Designs...be sure to check out all the details at the CASology blog!

I mind RACED with this cue word: bubble bath...bubble gum...a bubbly glass of champagne...fishy bubbles...blowing bubbles...thought bubbles...bubble wrap.

Then I settled on it... bubbly letters!  My mind went straight to this cute free digi sentiment from Jackie Rockwell (found at her blog Rockwell Designs HERE -- thanks so much, Jackie!!) and the fun bubble letters she used for the word "cloudy."

Stamping Supplies:

Stamps: Jackie Rockwell digital sentiment; sunshine by Me & My Big Ideas

Inks: black dye ink, Copic marker (B0000 - Pale Porcelain Blue), white Uni-Ball Signo pen, Jelly Roll glitter pen

Other: Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangles, clouds dies

So, I gave you plenty of ideas to get your juices flowing...I can't wait to see where you take this cue!  You have until 4PM on Sunday to upload your creations.  Before you head off to create, be sure to check out the creative cards by our Design Team.  Welcome to our two newest DT members, too...so happy to have Joyce and May on board!

Melissa Chipperfield
Judy Marino --> that's me!

Meghan McMillan

Tracey McNeely
Joyce Mehrberg

Maureen Merritt
May Sukyong Park

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Gillian Ross

Kimberly Wiener

Jen Wills

As always, thanks for stopping by!
Judy

P.S. Here is one of my favorite pictures of my youngest son (now age 9) who loved to blow bubbles with me when he was a toddler!  Just a little more "bubbly" inspiration for you as you go on your way!

Happy New Year!

Hello, friends!  Just stopping by (after a whirlwind Christmas vacation filled with lots of time with family and friends and several family birthdays) to wish you all a very Happy New Year!

I have a confession to make.  My third "blogaversary" was on New Year's Day and I couldn't think of one card to make.  Not one.  No mojo whatsoever.

This seems to happen to me every year at Christmas.  Does this ever happen to you?  I usually get lots of fun crafty items from my DH (that I have been keeping on a wish list for months), and I'm beginning to think it is too much all at once.  Too many new toys, I don't know where to start!  So I stare at them.  And nothing happens.  For days.

It's so funny.  When these items (mainly stamps, inks, and dies) were added to my wish list, I HAD to have them!  I had SO many ideas of what to do with them when I finally had those hot little numbers in hand!

I want to share some pics of the fun items I got...and maybe someday when the "pressure to make" is off, I'll actually break into them and start having fun.  (I do hope so!)

         

I love these Hero Arts inks and the Jane's Doodles sentiments!

 

 

I've been patiently waiting for these fun stamps and die sets from Simon Says Stamp!

  

I also received a Copics cube (holder) from my DH as a birthday gift.  So nice to have them organized...although I'm a bit embarrassed to show off my SMALL collection to you! (Yes, that is all of them!)

My sister-in-law gave me some fun gems for my birthday...can't wait to break into them!  I also love this stamp and die set from Papertrey Ink.  

   


The only cards I made at all over vacation were actually half store-bought, half stamped.  I love the dollar bins at the local craft store (in my case, the dollar bins at Michael's)...that's where I found these nice quality blank thank you card packs.  Not bad for a dollar...and my Papertrey Ink wreath stamp fit perfectly on them.  So, I made a set of thank you notes for all the lovely birthday and Christmas gifts I received.

 

































I am hopeful that once we get back into the regular routine I'll get my mojo back and all will be well.  Of course, our routine just went out the window as today, after only one day back to school and work, we had a snow day!

I wish you all the very best in 2014...and I thank you all for stopping by and taking the time to visit my blog...I do appreciate your visits!
Judy